Cosmetic holder



R. N. HOULIHAN COSMETIC HOLDER Sept. 5, 1950 Filed May 29, 1947 v Hmm/15m, WM/ MM W W WMS,

Patentecl Sept. 5, l950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COSME'I'IC HOLDER Connecticut Application May 29, 1947, Serial No. 751,237'

11 ClaimS- (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to cosmetic holders, particularly to the type of holder for a stick of plastic material such, for example, as lipstick and the like. In a common type of cosmetic holder, particularly a lipstick holder, the stick of plastic is mounted in a carrier which is normally enclosed in an outer body shell or casing open at one end, with means operable by relative turning movement between the enclosing shell or casing and a finger grip at the oppcsite end for projectingr the lipstick through the -open end of the casing to a position of use, and then retracting it into the casing for protection. When retracted, the open end of the shell or casing is closed by a removeble cap or closure telescoped over this shell or casing. A serious objection in the common type of holder is that, when the closure cap or cover is in place the propeller mechanism for shifting the lipstick to the position of use may be operated to advance the stick and jam it against the closed end of the oap or closure. This makes a messy condition Within the holder itself, and also mars deforms or mashes the free end of the stick of plastic itself, and particularly is this objectionable when the device is on display in a store or on a sales counter, as it is very common for a prospective customer to pick up the holder and operate the finger grip in examining the article, with the result that the free end of the plastic stick is jammed, crushed, and forced out of shape, making the article unsalable.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple and novel construction for this type of device, whereby, when the closure cap or cover is in place over the open end of the shell or casing it is impossible to operate the propeller mechanism to feed the plastic from the enclosing shell or oasing and jam it against the closed end -of the cover or closure.

Another object is to provide a construction for securing the cover or closure in position on the shell or casing, in which, althoug-h the closure is retained in the closing position it has a free turning movement with respect to the enclosing shell or casing and the finger grip or operating head, so that it is impossible while the closure is in place to cause relative movement between the shell or -casing and the Operating head or finger grip to propel the stick of plastic from the shell or casing and jam it against the closure.

A further object is to provide an improved and simplified means of so securing the cover or closure cap in place.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, lto be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction 'and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a partial side elevation and partial longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of a lipstick holder involving my new construction;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on a smaller Scale of the inner propeller sleeve;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a split spring sleeve cooperating with the sleeve of Fig. 2 as a part of the propeller means;

Pig. 4 is a side elevation of the enclosing shell 01' casmg;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the cover or closure retaining ring of the form of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a top end view of the retaining means for the ring of Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are side elevations of the lower end of the closure -cap or cover on a smaller scale, the views being taken at right angles;

Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views showing a slight modification;

Figs. 11 to 16 are detail sections respectively showing different modifications of the device.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the device comprises an outer enclcsing shell or casing I in which the sleeve 2 is mounted. This sleeve is slit longitudinally, as indicated o at `3, but is ordinarily rolled up from a flat strip and is normally of somewhat larger diameter than the internal diameter of the shell I so that it must be compressed somewhat when it is inserted in the shell and its resiliency or tendency to expand will hold it tightly against the inner surface of the shell with suificient friction to hold it stationary in the shell in the operation of the device. This sleeve is provided with a spiral slot 4 forming a part of the lipstick propeller mechanism. In another form of sleeve commonly used for the same purpose, instead of the sleeve being longitudinally slit, as indicated at 3, the spiral slot 4 is carried through the opposite ends of the sleeve. permtting the expanding action against the shell or casing in the same manner.

Within the sleeve 2 is the rotatable inner sleeve 5 which is adapted to turn in the sleeve 2, but fits the sleeve 2 with a frictional engagement so that although the sleeve 5 may be turned in the sleeve it is not a loose fit but has sufiicient friction to require a certain amount of force by the operator to rotate the sleeve 5. This sleeve has a longitudinal slot 6 through which a laterally extending lug or pin 'I mounted in the side wall of the carrier 8 may project into the spiral slot 4 to cooperate with the slots 6 and 4 on relative turning movement between the sleeves 2 and to shift the carrier 8 longitudinally in or out to project or retract the stick of plastic carried by the carrier, such, for example, as lipstick 9 The sleeve 5 is provided with an outwardly extending bead IO adjacent its upper end and it is enlarged at its lower end, as shown at I I, to provide a shoulder I2. The sleeve 2 extends between the bead Ill and the shoulder I2 and, therefore, acts to retain the sleeve 5 within the shell or casing I. The upper end of the shell or casing I is preferably extended inwardly as shown at I3 over the upper end of the sleeve 5. The upper end of the slot 6 may extend laterally, as shown at I 4, so that, when the projection or pin 1 reaches the upper end of the slot 5 to project the stick 9 into operative position, this pin will move into the lateral portion I4 and lock the stick in the projected position, so that it will not be pushed inwardly by pressure on the exposed end of the stick in applying this plastic.

The sleeve 5 may be rotated relative to the casing I by means of a finger grip I5 secured to the lower end of the sleeve and forming part of the Operating head. The whole Operating head really forms a finger grip as the whole head structure is secured to the inner sleeve 5 and rotates with it. In the form of Fig. 1 it comprises a cupped member IS, the upper portion I'I of which is a tight o1- press fit in the enlarged head II of the sleeve 5, and the finger grip I5 is formed by a bead or fiange forced outwardly at the closed end, The top shoulder I8 of this bead or fiange forms a convenient stop to limit the insertion of the portion I'I into the head II. With this construction the carrier 8 and the plastic, such as the lipstick 9, is shifted longitudinally in the shell or casing I to either project the plastic stick from the open end of this shell for use, or to retract it into the shell for protection, by relative turning movement between the, shell or casing I and the head or finger grip |5, which .being secured to the inner sleeve 5 may be used either to hold or rotate this sleeve, depending on whether the shell or casing I or the grip I5 is rotated.. This relative rotation between the shell and lthe hand grip causes relative rotation between the sleeve 5 and the sleeve 2 and causes the pin 'I to move along the slots 4 and 6 to shift the carrier and the lipstick 01' other plastic.

When the plastic stick, such, for example, as the lipstick 9, is retracted into the shell or casing, the open end maybe enclosed by a telescoping closure cap or cover IS which is closed at its outer end as shown at 20. eter of this cap or closure is slightly greater than the external diameter of the shell or casing I to provide a slight clearance 2I so that there is free turning movement between the shell I and the cap I9, so that when the cap is in place, a rotation of the head or finger grip I5 will not cause relative rotation between this grip and the casing I, but the casing I will rotate with the head or grip within the cap I9, and therefore there would be no shifting of the carrier 8 and the plastic stick 9 to jam the free end of this stick against the closed end of the cap.

An improved means is provided for holding the cap in this enclosing position on the shell or casing but still permit free relative turning movement between them. For this purpose a ring f The internal diam- .4 22 is mounted in the enlarged Operating head structure with which is formed the finger grip means for the inner sleeve 5, this ring being provided with an interior shoulder 23 spaced from the outer end of the ring under which may snap or spring one or more small projections or bumps 24 on the inner end of the closure or cap I 9. The ring 22 is held by means of a short sleeve or retaining member 25 having a tight or press fit over the enlarged head II of the inner sleeve 5, and which projects above the shoulder I2 a sufficient amount so that the inwardly extending flange 25 on the upper end of this sleeve is spaced a suificient distance from the shoulder IZ to enclose the ring 22, There is a slight clearance between this ring and the enclosing member 25 so that the ring has free turning movement, and therefore when the inner end of the closure or cap IQ is inserted in the ring and the lugs 24 snap behind the shoulder 23, the cap or closure is held in place on the device to enclose and protect the shell I and the stick of plastic, but has free turning movement with respect to the Operating head and finger grip, including member IS with the bead I5 and the member 25, because of the free turning movement of the ring 22 in which the cap or closure I9 is secured. The cap or closure could be free to turn in the ring 22, but it is preferred that it be tight in the ring 22 because it is held better with less looseness. The whole Operating head including members Ifi and 25 really forms the Operating finger grip for the inner sleeve 5, because as members IS, 25 are securely attached to enlarged portion II, they ofV course are rigidly secured to each other, so sleeve 5 may be operated by gripping either I5, 25 or both. Also, ring 22 is mounted to turn in this Operating head. As many of the lugs 01' projections 24 may be used as found desirable, but two of them formed on opposite sides of the closure are found to be normally sulficient. There is sufiicient spring between the cap and the ring to permit these lugs to pass into and out of the ring 22 in placing the cap in closing position or removing it from the casing, but to effectively retain the cap in position.

However, if desired, a greater spring action oi' movement for the lugs may be secured, as shown in the modification of Figs. 9 and 10, in which the side walls of cap or closure I9 are slotted from the free edge a distance on one or bothsides of the bump or lug 24, as shown at 21, so that the bump or lug is formed on a spring tongue 28.

In Fig. 11 is shown a slight modiiication of the ring, in which, instead of providing the ring 22a with an annular shoulder 23 to engage and hold the lugs 24, the inner surface of the ring, indicated at 23a, is inclined, with the smallest diameter at the top so that the lugs or bumps 24 will snap through this smaller diameter, and will cooperate with the inclined surface 23a to retain the closure cap I9 in place. This ring is mounted for free turning movement and retained in the head in the same manner as shown for the ring 22 in Figs. 1 and 13.

Another slight modification is shown in Fig. 12, in which, instead of the ring being a turned or screw machine piece, as in Figs. 1, 11, 13 and 14, it is blanked and drawn from a piece of sheet metal forming a cylindrical side wall 3| with an inwardly projecting top flange 32 providing a shoulder 33 behind which the lug or bump 24 snaps when the lower end of the closure I9 is inserted in the ring, and by which the closure is retained, On. the device for free turning movement, as in the other forms, because this ring 3|, 32 is mounted for free turning movement the same as in the other forms.

In Fig. 13, a slight modification'in the construction is shown, in that, instead of using a separate member IE for the finger grip secured to the enlarged head II of the inner sleeve 5, the enlarged head portion is forced outwardly to form the bead or grip Ia. Thus this bead or grip is integral with the enlarged portion I I with a shoulder [8a between them. The ring 22 is the same as in Fig. 1 and cooperates with the closure cap IB and other parts in the same manner, and is retained for free turning movements by the member 25 having a forced or tight fit on the enlargement I I, the same as in Fig. 1.

A further modification is shown in Fig. 14, but in this case the change is in the freely rotatable ring for retaining the cap or closure I9. In'this case the ring 29 is mounted the same as the ring 22 in Figs. 1 or 13, but instead of being substantially L-shaped in cross section it is provided with an annular groove 33 on its inner wall into which the lugs or bumps 24 will snap and be seated when the lower end'of the closure |3 is inserted into the ring, and will hold this closure the same as described in Figs. 1 and 13. The upper part of this groove forms an inwardly extending and downwardly facing shoulder under which the lugs or bumps 24 engage to secure the closure I9.

In Fig. 15 is shown another modification. In this arrangement the retainingiring. 34 for the closure or cap I9 is stamped and formedV from sheet metal with an inwardly extending flange 35 at its upper end under which the lugs 24 will snap to retain the closure cap in place. This ring, however, is mounted for free turning movement in the enlarged Operating head or grip II, IS, 38, in a somewhat different manner. In this case the ring 34 is provided with a wider inwardly extending fiange 36 which projects under the inner end la. of the shell or casing I. to retain this ring in position, and to permit this, the shell or casing is so mounted that it is spaced a suitable distance. above the shoulder I2 of the inner sleeve 5. It is also desirable in this arrangement that this flange 36 shall not rotate against the lower end of the split sleeve 2, and therefore the inner sleeve 5 is provided with an outwardly extending bead 31 just above the shoulder I2, and the lower end of the intermediate sleeve 2 will rest against the top of this bead. The outer covering sleeve or member 38, corresponding to the member 25, is merely a short cylindrical sleeve having a press or force fit on the enlargement I I, but is not provided with the inturned fiange 26 over the top of the ring, this member being used merely as a covering member to improve the appearance of the enlarged head portion and also to protect the outer surface of the free turning ring 34.

In Fig. 16 is still another slight modification, although in this case the modification is in the structure of the finger grip or enlarged operating head, the freely rotating ring 34 for retaining the cap or closure I9 in place being the same and retained in the same manner by the lower end la of the shell or casing I, as in Fig. 15. In this case the inner sleeve 5, instead of being enlarged at its lower end, as indicated at I, Fig. 2, is merely set into a recess in' a solid head or finger grip 39, as shown at 40, witha Dress or tight fit, so that this head or grip 39 is tight on the sleeve 5. This head also has a larger recess 4I forming a shoulder 42 between the recess 40 and the wall 43, and the sleeve 5 is provided With an annular bead 31, the same as in Fig. 15, over the top of this shoulder to space the lower ends of the shell or casing I and the stationary sleeve 2 from this shoulder 42,to permit the lower fiange 36 of the ring 34 to extend under the lower end Ia of the shell or casing I to retain the ring 34 in position. This ring 34 is retained for free turning movement in the enlarged Operating head structure, and retains the closure cap 19 for free turning movements on the shell or casing I, the same as in the other forms. In this form, instead of the separate member 38 to enclose the outer side of the ring 34, the outer wall 43 of the head or grip 39 is extended upwardly on the outer side of this ring, as shown in Fig. 16.

It will be evident that in all the forms shown, the closure or cap I!! is merely slipped or telescoped over the outer shell or casing I, with its free ends carrying the lugs 24 snapped into the freely rotating ring. It could be of tight telescoping fit in the ring, but it is preferred to use the Iugs 24 and the spring or snap action to secure a somewhat more positive connecting means between the closure I9 and the ring; but in all cases the ring has free turning movement, and as the cap or closure is slightly larger than the cap or casing I, this cap or closure also has free turning movement and encloses all the elements which, if turned relative to the enlarged Operating head or finger grip, would operate the lipstick propeller mechanism. Therefore, any turning of the head or finger grip with respect to the cap or closure I9 will merely turn the shell or casing I in the cap or closure and will not operate the propeller mechanism. Vice versa, if the head or .finger grip is hold stationary and the cap or closure I!! rotated, it will merely have free rotation in the head and on the shell or casing I without Operating the propeller mechanism. Therefore, there is no danger of anyone Operating the propeller mechanism when the closure or cap IB is in place, to Shift the plastic stick from the casing and jam it against the closed end 2G of the cover or closure. In order to operate the propeller mechanism for the plastic stick it Will be necessary to remove the cap [9.

In all forms shown the freely, rotatable ring which retains the outer closure or cap in place is mounted to rotate in the Operating head structure, and also in all forms this ring has an inwardly extending downwardly faoing shoulder under which the lugs or bumps 26.' on the closure snap as the lower or inner end of this closure is inserted in the ring.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. A holder of the character described com-- prising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger 'grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, a ring mounted in the head and provided. on its inner side with a shoulder facing away from the open end of the casing, means retaining the ring in the head against longitudinal movement relative to the casing while permitting free turnng movement of the ring, and said cap being inserted at its inner end in the ring .and provided with projections ex- 7 tending under saidshoulder to retain the cap in position over the casing.

2. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for` shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, a ring provided With an inwardly extending shoulder facing in the opposite direction from the open end of the casing, mounting means for the ring retaining it against longitudinal movement on the casing while permitting free turning movement relative to the casing and head, and said cap being inserted at its inner end in the ring and provided with lateral projections extending under said shoulder to releasably retain the cap in position over the casing.

3. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger gripat the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, a ring free to turn relative to the head and casing and provided on its inner side with a laterally extending shoulder facing in the opposite direction from the open end of the casing, means retaining the ring against longitudinal movement relative to the casing, and said cap being telescoped at its inner end in the ring and provided with lateral projections extending under the shoulder to retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

4. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, a ring free to turn relative to the head and casing and provided on its inner side with an annular shoulder facing away from the open end of the casing, means inounting the ring in the head and retaining it against longitudinal movement relative to the casing, and said cap being telescoped at its inner end in the ring and provided with projections snapped under the shoulder to retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

5. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means oper- (3 ated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, said head being provided with an outwardly extending shoulder at the lower end of the casing, a ring mounted at one side of said shoulder and having free turning movement relative to the head and casing, said head including an outer wall enclosing the outer side of the ring and means to retain the ring against movement away from the shoulder, said ring being provided with an inwardly extending shoulder facing in the opposite direction from the open end of the casing, and said cap being inserted at its inner end in the ring and provided with projections snapped under the shoulder to releasably retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

6. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, said head including an outwardly extending shoulder at the inner end of the casing, a ring located at one side of said shoulder and having free turning movements relative to the head and casing, said head including an outer wall 'embracing the outer side of the ring and provided with an inwardly extending fiange over the opposite side of the ring from the shoulder` to retain it in the head, said ring being provided with an inwardly extending shoulder facing in the opposite direction from the open end of the casing, and said cap being inserted at its lower end in the ring and provided with projections yieldably engaged under the shoulder to releasably retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

7. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a rotary Operating sleeve within the casing, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, means operable by relative turning movements between the casing and sleeve for shifting the carrier, the inner end of said sleeve comprising an enlargement forming an annular shoulder, a retaining member embracing said enlargement and provided with an inwardly extending flange spaced above said shoulder, a ring located between the shoulder and flange so as to be held thereby against movement longitudinally of the sleeve and provided with an inner` shoulder facing in a direction away from the open end of the casing, said ring being free to turn relative to the casing and sleeve, a removable closure cap telescoped over the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, and the lower end of the cap being inserted in the ring and provided with projections yieldably engaged under the ring shoulder to releasably retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

8. A holder of the character described comprisng a casing open at one end, a rotary Operating sleeve within the casing, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, means operable by relative turning move-- ments between the casing and sleeve for shifting the carrier, the inner end of said sleeve comprising an enlargement forming an annular shoulder, a retaining sleeve telescoped over the enlargement and comprising therewith an Operating finger grip for the Operating sleeve, said retaining sleeve being provided with an inwardly extending fiange opposite to and spaced from said shoulder, a ring located between the shoulder and flange and held thereby against longitudinal movement relative to the casing, said ring being free to turn relative to the casing and sleeve and provided with an inner shoulder facing away from the open end of the casing, a removable closure cap telescoped over the casing and having free turning movement relative thereto, and the lower end of the cap being inserted in the ring and provided with projections yieldingly engaging under the ring shoulder to releasably retain the cap in position enclosing the casing.

9. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, said head including an outwardly extending shoulder at the inner end of the casing and spaced therefrom, a ring located at one side of said shoulder and free to turn relative thereto, said ring including an outex` side wall and upper and lower spaced inwardly extending fianges, the lower fiange extending under the inner end of the casing to retain the ring against movement away from the shoulder, and said closure cap being inserted at its lower end into the ring and provided with projections yieldably engaged under the upper flange to detachably secure the cap in position enclosing the casing.

10. A holder of the character described comprising a casing open at one end, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, a head forming a rotatable finger grip at the other end of the casing, means operated by relative turning movement of the finger grip and the casing for shifting the carrier, a removable closure cap telescoped over the open end of the casing and having free turning movement relative to the casing, said head being provided with an annular shoulder spaced from the inner end of the casing, a ring located at one side of said shoulder and free to turn relative thereto, said ring being provided with an inwardly extending fiange located between the end of the casing and the shoulder to retain the ring in place, said ring being also provided with a second fiange on its inner side spaced from the first flange, and said closure cap being telescoped in the ring at its inner end and provided With projections yieldably engaged under the second flange to detachably secure the cap in position enclosing the casing.

11. A holder of the Character described comprising a casing open at one end, a rotary operating sleeve within the casing, a carrier for a stick of plastic or the like movable longitudinally in the casing, means operable by relative turning movements between the casing and sleeve for shifting the carrier, an enlarged head on the inner end of the sleeve provided With an annular shoulder spaced from the inner end of the casing, a retaining ring located at one side of said shoulder and free to turn relative thereto, said ring being provided With an inwardly extending fiange located between the inner end of the casing and said shoulder to retain the ring against movement longitudinally of the casing, a removable closure cap telescoped over the casing and having free turning movement relative thereto, the inner end of the cap being telescoped in the ring, and separable cooperating securing means on the cap and ring releasably retaining the cap in position enclosing the casing.

RUDOLPH N. HOULII-IAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,646,005 Baguey Oct. 18, 1927 2,12'7,350 Davis Aug. 16, 1938 2,309,000 Morrison Jan. 19, 1943 2,332,14=7 Houlihan Oct. 19, 1943 2,337,682 Reichenbach Dec. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 834,749 France Aug. 29, 1938 

